Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, July 31: In a swift breakthrough, Bantwal Rural police have solved a theft case involving the disappearance of 45 sacks of dried areca nuts worth Rs 2.2 lac, stolen over a three-week period from a residence in Poonjoor, Mani-Nalkuru village.

The theft reportedly occurred between July 3 and 22. A formal complaint was lodged on July 23 at the Bantwal Rural police station, which registered a case under Crime No. 112/2025 as per Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

A dedicated investigation team, led by circle inspector Shivakumar B, and comprising PSI Manjunath T, ASI Jinnappa Gowda, head constables Rajesh, Nazeer, Lokesh, Prashanth, and constables Maruti and Hanumantha, launched a search operation to trace the culprit.

On July 28, the team arrested the accused, Satish (29), a resident of Paicharu village in Sullia. Following sustained interrogation, Satish confessed to the crime.

The police recovered:

• 15 sacks of stolen dried areca nuts worth Rs 74,000

• Rs 70,000 in cash, allegedly from the sale of stolen goods

• An APE goods vehicle, used in transporting the stolen areca, valued at Rs 80,000

The total value of recovered property amounts to Rs 2,24,000.

The accused was produced before the Bantwal court, which has remanded him to judicial custody.

Police said efforts are ongoing to trace any possible accomplices and recover remaining stolen goods, if any.